Bipolar disorder, also known as manic depressive disorder or manic depression, is a psychiatric disorder that causes extreme shifts in mood, energy, activity levels, and also the ability to carry out everyday tasks. Bipolar disorder is characterised by extreme mood swings. The mood swings ranges from extreme highs (mania) to extreme lows (depression). Instances of mania and depression can often last for weeks or more.
Bipolar disorder (also known as manic depression) causes serious shifts in mood, energy, thinking, and behavior-from the highs of mania on a single extreme, to the lows of depression alternatively. More than just a fleeting bad or good mood, the cycles of bipolar disorder continue for days, weeks, or months. And in contrast to ordinary mood swings, the mood changes of bipolar disorder are extremely intense that they interfere with your ability to function.
Bipolar Disorder Causes
The precise cause of bipolar disorder is not fully understood. However, experts think that a number of different factors act together making a person more likely to develop the condition. thought to be a complex mix of physical, environmental and social factors.
Genetics
Some small twin research has indicated that there is a “substantial genetic contribution” to bipolar disorder risk. Individuals with a blood relative that has bipolar disorder have a higher risk of developing it themselves. Currently, scientists are attempting to identify which genes are participating.
Biological differences
People with bipolar disorder have the symptoms of physical changes in their brains. The value of these changes is still uncertain but may eventually help pinpoint causes.
Biological traits
Professionals state that patients with bipolar disorder often have physical changes that took place their brains. Nobody is certain why the changes can lead to the disorder.
Brain-chemical imbalance
Neurotransmitter imbalances play a vital role in many mood disorders, including bipolar disorder, in addition to depression and other mental illnesses. Neurotransmitters are chemicals that facilitate the communication between neurons (cognitive abilities). Examples of neurotransmitters are serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine.
Hormonal problems
Hormonal imbalances are believed to possibly trigger or cause bipolar disorder.
Signs And Symptoms
Individuals with bipolar disorder experience unusually intense emotional states that exist in distinct periods called “mood episodes.” A very joyful or overexcited state is known as manic episode, and an extremely sad or hopeless state is known as depressive episode. Sometimes, a mood episode includes symptoms of both mania and depression. This is known as a mixed state. People with bipolar disorder may also be explosive and irritable throughout a mood episode.
Bipolar Disorder Symptoms
Bipolar Symptoms
The primary symptoms of bipolar disorder are dramatic and unpredictable mood swings.
Mania Symptoms
Mania symptoms can include excessive happiness, excitement, irritability, restlessness, increased energy, less requirement for sleep, racing thoughts, high libido, and a tendency to make grand and unattainable plans.
Depression Symptoms
Depression symptoms can include sadness, anxiety, irritability, lack of energy, uncontrollable crying, alternation in appetite causing weight loss or gain, increased requirement for sleep, difficulty making decisions, and thoughts of death or suicide.
